Posts Tagged ‘Thanksgiving’

November 25, 2010

Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it revolves around two of my favorite things:  Food and football.

Thanksgiving takes on a special meaning for Americans living abroad.  Just as the newly arrived Pilgrims relied on the Wampanoag tribe, my family and I have relied on the kindness of Canadians as we settled in here.  Without the compassion and insights of my friends and colleagues, I would have starved (or froze) long ago.

I know Canada celebrated Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, but I invite you to join with me today in giving thanks for the blessings we have and, as the President said, to come together with friends and neighbors “to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own and to share our bounty with others.”

DJ

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Posted in November 2010 |

November 28, 2009 – Ottawa

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Spent a great American Thanksgiving weekend. Hard not to love a holiday that is dedicated to family, eating, and football. Did plenty of all three.

My kids visited us in Ottawa. They are having fun getting used to the new house. My daughter’s dog Max thinks he has gone to dog heaven. Lots of chairs to sleep on. A big yard. Too many treats. We also had a visit from my sister and her family. In addition to eating and football we took them on tours of Ottawa: Byward Market, Rideau Hall, Parliament Hill, etc. They loved it. My sister’s husband and his family are from Louisiana where the tradition is that Thanksgiving turkeys are deep fried with lots of Cajun spices. To make sure we partook adequately of the tradition, they fried us three turkeys. Fortunately we had the Marines over for dinner. So nothing went to waste.

Thanksgiving – in Canada and the US – is a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. For my family and me we have so much – our heath, our happiness, and the chance to represent our country here in Canada. It is also a time to think about those who are less fortunate. As usual, President Obama said it best in his Thanksgiving message:

“[Thanksgiving] is a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love.
The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school.
We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach.
So when we gather [on Thanksgiving], let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy.’
DJ

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Posted in November 2009 |

A Great Prize!! Admiring Montreal and reading your mail

Friday, October 9th, 2009

This morning’s amazing news put a smile on my face. The Nobel Prize for Peace, bestowed on President Obama is humbling indeed. I couldn’t be more proud of the man I came here to represent. I share the President’s view that this award is a call to action to make the world a better place and that it is an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of the aspiration held by people in all nations. I have spoken with friends back in the White House who are as excited as I am. I also want to express my thanks for the congratulations to President Obama that I have received from so many Canadians who stand with us in this effort. There is much work for us to do together.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this week Julie and I spent a few days in La Belle Province of Quebec. We started in Quebec City and then travelled by train to Montreal. The ride gave us a chance to soak up the scenery and to meet a few of our fellow travelers.

I have spent time in Montreal before, but this trip gave me a chance to learn more. A few highlights: we visited the facilities of CAE, the leading Canadian defense exporter and a world leader in flight simulators. Let me tell you…. these are not like a video game. Julie and I got to a chance to “fly” a Boeing 777 from Hong Kong. It felt exactly like we were flying a real plane. I hope I will be a better Ambassador than I am an airline pilot. But it was great fun.

Julie and I in the flight simulator at CAE

Julie and I in the flight simulator at CAE

We also spent some time walking around Old Montreal and visiting our son who is in school there. Julie bought shoes. I bought poutine.

My first taste of poutine!

My first taste of poutine!

Finally, I have been heartened by the warm reception you have given me in this virtual forum. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to write to me. To Grant, Richard, David (I feel like family already), Christian (I’ll give your good suggestions about the blog consideration, thanks), Ed, Patrick (I’ll look for that book) and others too many to mention here. To all of you: your kind words are very much appreciated.

Have a wonderful long weekend. To my Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving. To my American friends, Happy Columbus Day!

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Posted in October 2009 |